Today the GBF and I took ourselves off to the cinema to see Les Mis. We're both big fans of the stage version (I was a HUGE fan back in the day... I even have the Swedish cast recording, thanks to the lovely Lotta who was just as big a fan).
But the movie? Well I had reservations. But I wanted to see what all the fuss was about. These are my thoughts:
Ten Things I Love About... Les Mis:
1. Aaron Tveit. I knew he'd be an amazing Enjolras after seeing him in Catch Me If You Can last year, but he surpassed my expectations. Fabulous. Why wasn't he Marius?
2. Anne Hathaway. Gorgeous, fragile, perfect. Loved her.
3. Samantha Barks. Beautiful voice and did a great job of convincing me she was in love with Eddie Redmayne, even though any smart woman would be pushing him aside for Aaron Tveit.
4. Gavroche. Cracking little kid. Gutted they didn't let him have a full version of Little People. And his death scene was brilliant.
5. Both the Cosettes. Amanda Seyfried did a pretty decent job with a sappy role and the little one's version of Castle on a Cloud (although cut down) was enchanting.
6. Helena Bonham Carter. Stayed fairly true to the score, but still managed to add in a hint of her own take on the character. Enjoyed her immensely.
7. Colm Wilkinson's cameo as the bishop.
8. The epic-ness of Do You Hear the People Sing and One Day More - the final shot was spectacular.
9. The attention to detail with makeup. There were rotting flesh wounds and grotty teeth. Given one of my biggest gripes with period pieces is actors with straight, shiny, white teeth, they've done well.
10. The resounding "crack" as Javert hit the concrete before being sucked into the water. I damn nearly cheered, I was so relieved that he was finally off the screen and I wouldn't have to listen to him attempt to sing anymore.
Ten Things I Hate About... Les Mis:
1. Russell Crowe.
2. Russell Crowe's strained, nasal delivery of Stars and Javert's Suicide (two of my favourite numbers from the show). I've had to listen to Philip Quast's versions about ten times since getting home, to try and block out Russell's butchering of it.
3. Russell Crowe turning into a wooden statue whenever he had to sing... I'm not saying he need to tap dance, but fella, there's a body attached to your head - use it.
4. Eddie Redmayne. I bet Michael Ball wishes he was about 30 years younger... I know I do. I've had to listen to his version of Empty Chairs at Empty Tables about ten times to try and block out Eddie's whiny version.
5. I'm sorry, I know everyone thinks he's amazing, and his overall portrayal is great; BUT I'm just going to say it... Hugh's version of Bring Him Home? Appalling.
6. Hugh's nasal delivery of a huge number of his songs. Mate, you're better than that. Use some chest voice once in a while.
7. Hugh's bizarre Irish-sounding accent in the early part of the film. Jean Valjean is French, you git. At least Sasha B-C was attempting to put a touch of a French accent in there, even if he did sound a bit Borat-ish.
8a. Note to Hugh and Eddie (and a few others): a little diction wouldn't go astray. Opening your mouth to sing also helps.
8b. The cutting of verses from so many of the songs. The young Cosette was adorable - cut Russell's songs, not Castle on A Cloud if you're short on time. Same for Little People. Gavroche was fantastic - let him have his full number.
9. The addition of the new song. Musically, it just didn't fit.
10. Russell Crowe. Seriously. How did he even get cast?
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